Many possible designs of CVN(X) are included in an ongoing Analysis of Alternatives (AOA) with trade studies including factors such as ship size, speed, sustainability, and survivability. The design effort for CVN(X) started with a "clean sheet" and offered no design decisions and yet the reduced life-cycle cost of CVN(X), when compared to the Nimitz class carrier, remains/remained a primary goal. Part 1 of the AOA, concluded in 1997, focused on the size of the air wing intended for the ship with the nominal size options being 40, 60, or 80 plane air wings. Part 2 AOA concluded in October 1998; Part 3 in January 2000; and the Milestone I decision is scheduled for April 2000.

AOA continued this year, albeit with a change in strategy, as a result of the Navy decision to pursue an evolutionary design strategy rather than a "clean sheet-of-paper" approach. There was no dedicated test and evaluation activity, although there were vulnerability assessments of design alternatives. DOT&E continued its involvement as a member of the AOA Oversight Group. No TEMP or LFT&E strategy is required at this stage of the program.

Early OT involvement in this long-range program will prove vital in establishing credible Measures of Effectiveness and Measures of Performance in facilitating realistic and meaningful OT. Early test planning efforts should also lead to investment in adequate modeling and simulation to support future OT.

Continued early involvement by live fire test, particularly vulnerability testing of decommissioned ships and land-based surrogates, should ensure a robust strategy to maximize survivability and minimize the vulnerability aspects of the final ship design. To make a significant difference in CVN(X) vulnerability reduction, major vulnerability testing should be conducted in advance of Milestone I. In particular, robust LFT&E surrogate testing should be conducted prior to the Milestone I equivalent for any CVN(X) that incorporates a hull form and/or major system designs significantly different from the CVN 68 Class.

The DAB recommended evolutionary nuclear propulsion design based on a Nimitz class hullform and a 75 aircraft air wing. DOT&E continues its proactive approach to understanding performance drivers for mission effectiveness and support of the operational test structure.